NEWS DESK
Olympic hopefuls team up to train By Bree Masters ATHLETES training for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympics are being confronted by an unforeseen obstacle: the six-week lockdown aimed at stopping the spread of COVID-19. With their training options suddenly curtailed Mornington Peninsula Athletics Club sprinters Sophia Fighera and Matthew Rizzo have teamed up to help each other stay fit for Tokyo. Matthew Rizzo, 2017 Stawell Gift winner, said news of sporting facilities and gyms closing and outdoor exercise being restricted to two people, means his Olympic dream is at stake. “With gyms closing, it will mean that we will not be able to complete our gym sessions and may cause us to be behind the eight ball compared to athletes from other states once the restrictions are over,” Rizzo said. “I am currently in the process of modifying my training sessions and working out a revised training plan with my coach for the next six weeks, that will still allow me to take the path that I need to get me to the Olympic games next year.” Rizzo, 21, of Langwarrin said the lockdown would also have a big impact on training for many athletes around Victoria. “At first, I was disheartened about the news, however I am trying to stay positive, despite the new restrictions,” Rizzo said. “I’ve wanted to go to the Olympics since I was a young boy, so I’m willing to jump a few hurdles to achieve my ultimate goal of representing my country at the Games.” Training partner and fellow Olympic hopeful, Fighera, said training would be different without the moti-
In step: Matthew Rizzo, above, and fellow 2021 Olympic team hopeful Sophia Fighera are training together on the Mornington Peninsula in line with the latest coronavirus restrictions. Picture: Clay Nettlefold
With the big goal of racing at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games, 22-yearold Fighera said despite the restrictions, she will continue to focus on her ultimate goal of racing at the Games. “I will continue to push myself in every session and focus on both my small and big goals,” she said. “I will focus on working on my weakness and continuing to improve the small aspects in my training.”
vation and company of her peninsulabased Pride Performance squad. “Training without my squad will be very difficult, as we all push each other to be better and we have a lot of fun at training,” Fighera, runner-up in the 2019 Stawell Gift, said. “I am very lucky to still be able to train alongside my sister and have a little gym set up at home so I can still work on my strength.”
Virus effects spur move to peninsula By Danielle Collis MORNINGTON Peninsula real estate agents say an increasing number of Melbourne residents want to move to the Mornington Peninsula. Danckert Real Estate director Sam Danckert said the peninsula was no longer seen as “just a holiday home destination”, with 83 percent of buyer inquiries coming from people now residing within 20 kilometres of Melbourne. “It's been occurring over the past few years, but it’s happening at a greater rate than I've ever seen in over 15 years of working in real estate,” Mr Danckert said. He said the influx of residents was due to several key drivers. “The ability to work from home has reduced the need to live in Melbourne and opened up the possibility to live and work remotely from the peninsula,” he said. “The abundant space and relatively low population density has become even more valuable.” With restrictions on international travel, Mr Danckert said the peninsula has become a “staycation” destination and new residents would
support the local demand businesses require during quieter winter months. Tony Ladiges, of Stone Real Estate, said he had seen a 20 per cent increase in inquiries with most buyers being “sea changers” from the city. Mr Ladiges said peninsula properties were “good value for money”. “Also, just the genuine value for money in terms of what they sell for in the city, and what they can prospectively buy on the peninsula,” Mr Ladiges said. With the rise of coronavirus cases in metropolitan Melbourne, Mr Ladiges said the peninsula was seen as a “less volatile” place to live and a “hidden secret”. “I guess from a personal perspective, being born and bred and always lived on the Mornington Peninsula, but also experiencing living in other major cities in Australia, there's more to offer here than people recognise,” he said. “And I think people are starting to quickly appreciate all the benefits and the amenities that the peninsula offers.”
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Mornington News 21 July 2020